Last Two Weeks at the Institute — Feb. 25–Mar. 10, 2018

We’ve been busy in the maple bush this week but still got some good funding news. We’re still raising money for the tool library. Please head over to our crowdfunding campaign to raise money for our tool library: www.youcaring.com/lowtechtoollibrary. Donations over $50 come with a free year’s membership and over $100 gets your name on the wall and website! We’re also taking tools and volunteer hours!

Research Projects

Two weeks ago I shared a research proposal for a mite-tolerant breeding program. We just received word that we were approved and will be carrying out this project this year. We’re excited to try something that has yielded positive results in reducing one of the biggest problems for bees.

Workshops

We had folks over for a maple sugaring workshop. Luckily the weather was great and the sap was flowing. Attendees got to see how sap is boiled down, how the taps work, and about tree identification.

Videos

We did not have a podcast this week. Instead we published another video, no. 11, giving a basic introduction to starting and maintaining a sourdough starter. Head over to our YouTube page and subscribe to our channel.

Otherwise

Maple syurping is taking up a good chunk of time as I work to evaporate the sap down to syrup.

Work on the chicken coop continues: logs are hewn into timbers and I hope to have some timber ends trimmed by the end of the week. We need to get the chickens into their new home in one month, as the garden plants will be moving outside and the chickens are not compatible with young plants.